The Cup is ours!

Why did Pierre Gauthier trade for a journeyman centre who wasn’t good enough to play for Boston when the Bruins were lousy?
Because Andreas Engqvist (pictured) is not good enough to play for a Canadiens team that’s been mostly lousy through seven games.

The Canadiens’ general manager had to do something to improve the Canadiens’ fourth line and penalty-kill – two conspicuous weaknesses since the season began.

354 Comments

So Emelin (the Habs most physical player) is out in favor of Spacek….um… Did JM not see the game on Saturday when the Leafs were running roughshod over his players, is Blunden (with his 3 mins of ice time) gonna make up for that on his own?

Jacques Martin has coached in 1009 NHL games. Has he even reached the finals? If he has, I apologize, but the point is he has coached for a very longtime, and has never won a stanley cup. Isn’t that what we want, someone who can win? And this isn’t some young coach trying to make a name for himself. If he was that great a coach, he would have won a stanley cup by now. I would really like it if this team would hire a winner.

Kungpow loves muffin tops….but for some reason, i feel like all i have been eating lately are muffin stumps….i usually get this feeling after watching yet another hab loss…..please, habs, and i beg you….give me that muffin top feeling really soon…. you can keep the stumps…..NO MORE STUMPS!!!!!

I as a fan would support the team in another rebuilding process. Don’t get me wrong, I really like our team, and firmly believe they are a couple of pieces away from a great team, but my problem is the non-committal management. PG says he wants to be in the top third of the league every year. I don’t see how continuously band-aiding our less necessary needs (3rd, 4th line) instead on adding our obvious needs (Big Centre, Shea Weber) is getting us to that category. If it’s a youth movement, and another couple of years, cool, just tell us. Same with the injuries, Markov is in Florida rehabbing for a third week, on schedule, 12 months after a 8-10 month predicted recovery. Just tell people what’s up, we wouldn’t yap so much if they did.

Always have my hopes high at the beginning of each new campaign. Same this year. Yeah, it’s still early but everyone knows the pressure is building. If this continues, it could get real ugly. You certainly can’t win a playoff spot in Oct but you can make it very difficult getting there and that’s where the habs appear headed. There isn’t much room for error with this group. Although I don’t agree with some who lay the blame entiirely on Martin, the team needs a major wakeup and that usually translates into the coach, whether he’s to blame or not, getting the boot. Another failure against the Panthers should result in Martin getting axed. Another failure and the sheer math on making the playoffs is starting to look grim. Something has to give and real soon.

As much as i want to win the cup this season, i’d rather go get yakupov, have you seen that guy play? I haven’t seen a dangler like him in my life, he’s a human highlight reel! Let’s play the kids this year and come back strong next year. Ya it sounds like jumping ship, but im looking at the long term success and excitability of our franchise. Lets face it, our team is boring right now! At least kovalev had some pizazz and a few surprises!

Brendan Gallagher now has 10G, 7A in 9GP with a 1G, 3A effort tonight in a 5-2 win over the Kelowna Rockets. He’s on a 50G in 50 games pace, is 9th overall in the WHL in points and tied for 3rd league-wide in goals.

For a second straight season, the Giants are a team that marches to his beat.

he is way too tiny to have with our current roster. He also had how many points in the preseason….?

I don’t see him every being a prominent NHL player . See David Desharnais junior numbers and AHL numbers and you might find some similarities, actually DD had more points than BG has ever had. yes, the whl is a little tougher but the point remains the same

Gallagher is bigger, faster, stronger (2″ of difference at least, David Desharnais was listed as 5’6″ until this year’s media guide made him magically 5’7″) with a prodigious goal-scoring touch that DD did not have even at the Q level and is succeeding in a tougher league that cranks out power forwards and hard-nosed defencemen yet he continues to outscore most of his competition.

What the heck am I suppose to do with my Habs jersey with Trotter written on the back and my Brock Trotter poster now. And to think I was going down to the tatoo parlor tomorrow to get Trotter tatooed to my forehead.

Could be one ugly week. Florida looks like the easiest game and I don’t think it will be that easy. Could be Martin and PG’s last week since they have a few days off after next Saturday’s Bruin game. We can hope. Maybe time for an actual important trade.
Off topic but that Darren Dietz seems like a serious prospect. He had three assists and a great fight the other night. I am hoping to go watch him play when the Blades come to Edmonton to play the Oil Kings.

On the bright side, they are 1-4-2 after seven games, so win the next three games and they are 4-4-2 (which is what the Maple Leafs have historically considered to be .500) and the first ten games aren’t a complete disaster … here’s hoping.

News Flash which was conveniently not included in our most recent update from the HIO crew, Brock Trotter cleared waivers earlier this season. Yes anyone in the fricking NHL could have had him for sweet dick all! No one claimed him, so the trade was a 7th round draft pick for Vegetable Lasagna’s cousin and an AHL DMan.

Can’t believe reading some posts or specifically above what a loss Trotter is. No one bitched when he was cut and put on waivers on way to Hamilton.

Having said all that PG and JM can shuffle the tits off the Queen all they want but until they trade for real assets this is fricking smoke and mirrors.

Ryan White has been hurt for how long and now we call up Blunden?

Aaron Palushaj did what in Training Camp to show he would be a good grinder?

We signed Erik Cole so he could serve bench minors?

Who provided the summer time medical report on Markov Dr. Nick?

JM is lost and PG seems to have no relationship with any GM’s in this league to make any moves of substance.

How many 3rd/4th line grinders were available this summer, How many rugged Dmen were available this summer?

I was thinking earlier today that the first group I would “release” would be the medical staff. I am certain Markov will enjoy the guaranteed money he will get over next few years “rehabbing” his knee.

HabinBurlington makes some great points about our Habs and the Management team. Unfortunately for us and the team the duo of PG and JM never heard of “common-sense”. I mean all of these things were just too easy to do. Just finished reading an article on another site about Glenn Metropolit and how much he misses playing for our team. He was a perfect guy in the #4 slot for us. But PG being cheap sent him on his way. Now look at the problems of the 4th line. Yah, common sense…can’t have too much of that on one team…..or did we trade that too ……

Agree about Tanguay but Tanguay, Souray, Schneider & Komo(bad as he is) were not re-signed due to worries about their injuries and that was why I wanted Wiz over AM due to his injuries as no one can tell how you come back from 1 let alone 2 leg injuries. Also regarding Tanguay, in his year after the Habs let him go he did nothing and in year 2 he regained his scoring touch.

look at how he’s playing in Dallas. he’s playing great and he’s winning fights. Our D is small and gets pushed around. and Markov is better when he’s playing, which he’s not. Souray is playing and he’s playing good.

Good for him, but it’s only been 8 games. His career and recent history strongly suggests that he’ll get hurt or his play will fall off a cliff. He’s had one good and healthy season since 2006-07, I don’t like those odds.

Look the bottom line is this: no team has any fear of playing the Habs. JM thinks that speed and skill alone suffice. They are dangerous and work well against teams that are vulnerable to that type of attack. But, there are too many big teams that push them around with impunity, that’s a BIG problem. When JM had BGL he sat him. He was big and slow, but, that’s not why he was there. I’ve said it before here, that I don’t believe the average NHLer gets to the bigs if he can be intimidated, but, there comes a time when push comes the shove. That time has come, and, JM is not the type of coach to recognize that. If JM can’t adjust to that reality, it’s time for him to go.

Oh careful you just bitchslapped “the dud” with actual facts. Now he is going to come after you with some acid trip rant filled with uppercase letters and possibly some bold print. Just figure i would warn you now.

Despite all my frustration with the current GM and Coach of the Habs, Mr. Boone and Mr. Hickey the two of you have wonderful hindsight vision. I have scoured the archives to see all the wonderful things you said about Trotter in preseason, didn’t find any. But today, oh Trotter will score 20 for Phoenix.
Keep driving up the hits on your web page, enjoy the bonus for this weekends record hits don’t spend it all in one place.

Actually i’m ottawa now. I was in regina for a year with the rcmp when i made my account. I just don’t feel like making up endless user names like the dud,who changes his user name every time he loses a bet.

Well what can I say….R.C.M.P. Where the phone camera meets the Cop and the truth can truly come out! Tuff times for story telling eh?With a lil luck there be no more R.C.M.P. in British Colombia in the next year and a proper , respectable police force that works for and listens to people like me”Tax Payers! ” . But what can I say when your own pension fund is stolen by one of your own eh? But wait a minute …I shouldn’t be too eager too judge you “I mean there are good cops too?”and then there is the sociopath ones that just call anyone “douche bags”hum….which one are you and who gave a CLOWN LIKE YOU A GUN ANYWAY!Grow -up stupid!

Reflecting on JM’s patented ten-pass breakout displayed last evening, I seriously think there is need of a d-man that can make the odd glorious outlet pass. That’s right folks, if you can pry him from his race car, it’s time to bring back The Breezer!

Maybe this terrible loosing streak to start the season is a blessing in disguise. A few more losses and maybe this outdated dinosaur of a coach will be sent packing. This is the only chance we have in making the playoffs. This team is not as bad on paper as it is on the ice. Other than lacking a tough and gritty forth line and a real back-up goaltender, the rest of the team is ok, even with the young defense. Perhaps Mr Molson can step in and send PG packing as well. It is about time to hire some professionals to manage this team.

IMO the Habs don’t need to tank. Certainly not like Chicago, Washington and Pittsburgh did. I just see a low finish as potentially very, very fruitful. One year in the draft lottery every once in a while is not such a bad thing. A good team can still regroup after a bad year. Philadelphia and Boston have been up and down going from leading divisions to draft lottery and yet they are both teams that go deeper than the Habs do when they make the play-offs and both are considered to be much stronger teams than the Habs are. Even still they are not just elite teams, but they still add and acquire top notch assets.

It’s the idea that the Habs can’t tank ever come hell or high water that needs to be once and for all subject to nullification.

What I want to see is the Habs accept that when they are weak that they are weak and rather than squander the future become sellers, try and get prospects and picks from teams looking to bolster their SC chances, acquire a decent 1st rounder and loaded with picks maybe even move up or pull an Anaheim or Philadelphia circa 2003 and walk out of the draft with two game changing first line forwards. Then build from there.

Aother genius move by PG. Doesn’t resign Halpern, a good center that can win faceoffs and relieve Plec on the PK Now has to trade a good prospect for a centyer. TO got Steckel for a 4th round pick. Didn’t PG know that he was available.He’s trading away prospects for people that probably won’t be on the team next year.

Even on this site, why don’t we hold Boone, Stubbs etc accountable FOR NOT ASKING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS? are they afraid they wont get their pension? they’re respected, but won’t be for much longer if they too adhere to the old boys club

That is true Chuck but the PAYING fans want answers. The reporters are there to get answers on behalf of the PAYING fans. If the Habs management start doing that, then the PAYING fans don’t buy Habs tickets, merchandise etc. When the Habs start to lose $$$ things will change.

You know, maybe I’d be ok with darche being on the PP if there was some obvious plan to actually run the PP. Several times, the habs tried to gain the line by firing a rocket pass at darche as he was skirting the blue line. Other times, the puck was dumped into his cOrner when he had no speed to go get it. I also recall really hard passes to him while he was standing in front. In what universe will these plays make darche effective? His PP role can Only be to screen and fight for rebounds. He can’t be expected to handle the puck or be the trigger man. This, again, speaks to martins absolute cluelessness on how to coach a powerplay.

Ah who am I kidding? I still wouldn’t be happy with darche on the PP even if there was a gameplan.

There’s no threat of a point shot on the PP. Weber and Subban both just drift off balance into whichever dude’s covering the other point man. If Pleks or Cammi on the hash marks, or the right point could get them a pass the goalie doesn’t need to move much to make the save, but attempting that pass is just as likely to result in a break-away for the other team. Weber can’t get open ‘cuz he suscks, but P.K. made those plays last season, so I’ve got no clue what’s up with him.

Edit: the above only applies to the odd occasions when the team makes it inside the blue line.

“Andrei Kostitsyn is a better hockey player than Max Pacioretty”
– Sean Bonjovi

I really wish that they had been blown out big time last night by the Leafs. Martin does not deserve the luxury of losing close games. He is a moron who with his endless senseless line changes has forced the team to look retarded with all the too-many-men penalties they take. Putting Darche out on a five-on-three just seals his “specialness” as far as I am concerned.

Ok . Since everyone is dumping on JM – here’s mine – was he the only guy in the Bell Center who thought Darche should be on a 5 on 3 power play?
Wouldn’t the smart move to put Cole out and hope he can get one? Did he ever here about confidence?
Don’t you need puck handlers / shooters 5 on 3?
That was one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen as a Habs fan ( spanning 6 decades ).

Blunden? go check out his stats on hockeydb – he ain’t gonna help at all…our 4th line is a problem because its not a real 4th line – its a line full of scraps we throw together…answer me this – with a porous, small, timid, young D why did we not call up Alex Henry from Hammertown – maybe toss in Schultz until White gets back – that would make a statement and have an impact – this crap is yet another joke.

I meant to reply to this comment, not the one below, no disrepect intended. Anyway, Alex Henry is huge, and, at least he could move out some bodies in front of Price. They need some push back, no one is afraid of the Habs.

I don’t believe it is fair to dump on the HABS management for guys that barely wore the sweater and flourished elsewhere. IMO the real trouble actually begins 20 years ago with the trade of Chris Chelios, two years removed from a Norris trophy. We all get excited about Markov and PK, however to the best of my knowledge neither has even been nominated for that award. We may as well add to that list Patrick Roy, no need to elaborate on him right?

In fact, the Canadiens roster was built quite solid for the 1990s until somebody (that’s Serge Savard) went trigger happy.

Chelios was a force majeur situation. Management had no choice. I’m not going to spell it out here but if you do some homework or talk to a Habs fan older than you and show them ID that you are 18 maybe they’ll tell you what happened.

I think you could also make the argument that Roy situation could have been far better handled, though I guess that’s easy to say in hindsight.

The rest of your list is damn fine (though Richer was an utter head case for all his skill) and if we had those guys now in their prime we would have a far better team with TONS more character than this bunch.

Enqvist was done when Orpik slap him in the face with his stick/fist combo. a couple of minutes later they showed his face on the bench in the replay and you could see how he is dealing very badly with this situation like a poor little kid who gets bullyd on the schoolyard by bigger guys.